After standing trial for theft and money-laundering charges, State Auditor Troy Kelley went back to work. The day after his federal trial concluded, Kelley asked for the resignation of both his chief of staff and spokesman. He also placed former spokesman on administrative leave.
When asked why by the fired employee, Kelley claimed that it was “for the good of the organization.”
Kelley declined to comment on the firings to the media.
Jay Inslee also asked Kelley to explain the reason for the firings. Kelley has yet to respond.
The audacity of Kelley is truly astonishing. Apparently, the disgraced Democrat has yet to realize that a jury of his peers did not actually acquit him of theft and money-laundering charges.
Federal prosecutors have not ruled out the possibility of a re-trial.
So, if Kelley were concerned about the “good of the organization,” he would — at long last — step down.
Of course, he won’t. Kelley does not really care that he has lost the public’s trust and disgraced an office that demands respect.
And, Inslee will not call for him to resign — that won’t do anything to help the reputation of Democrats in Washington State. Given the fact that it is an election year and Kelley is, after all, a Democrat, Inslee won’t do anything to attract more public attention to an embarrassing situation.
